ALFRED — Accused murderer Rory Holland, 55, pleaded not guilty this morning to two counts of murder in York County Superior Court. The Biddeford man who was indicted on the charges by a York County Grand Jury last week, is accused of killing brothers Derek Greene, 21, and Gage Greene, 19, both of Biddeford, on June 30.

Self-defense is one of the defenses that may be offered in a trial or plea agreement that may take place down the road, according to attorney Amanda Doherty who along with Clifford Strike, both of the law firm Strike, Goodwin, & O’Brien of Portland, is handling Holland’s defense.

However the investigation is in the beginning stages and the defense is not prepared to admit that Holland committed the charges alleged against him, she said.

If found guilty of the two murder charges, Holland faces a minimum of 25 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison without parole.

Holland was also indicted for possession of a firearm by a felon.

A 9-millimeter Glock handgun and a Glock magazine with cartridges were among the items found at Holland’s 58 South St. home after a search warrant was executed by the Maine State Police.

This charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

Holland has been held without bail since he was arrested on June 30.

A bail hearing scheduled last week was postponed. If it is rescheduled, Justice Roland A. Cole ruled it be held prior with 45 to 60 days from the prior hearing on July 8.

According to an affidavit by Maine State Police Detective Michael Zabarsky and accounts by witnesses, the Greene brothers passed by Holland’s home on June 30 around 1 a.m.

Gage Greene, according to witnesses, said something to Holland in front of his driveway and pushed him. Holland, took a step or two backward, and allegedly reached into the waistband of his pants for a gun and shot him in the chest.

Derek Greene, who was across the street because of order requiring him to stay away from Holland from a prior altercation, crossed to his brother after he was shot. Holland then allegedly shot the older brother in the stomach and the chest.

Holland retreated to his home and he was involved in five-hour stand-off with police officers from the Biddeford Police Department, the Maine State Police and the Tri-community SWAT team.

A former Biddeford mayoral candidate in 2001, Holland has a long history  with the court system, both civil and criminal.

In 1977 he was found guilty in Kansas of attempted first degree murder against his 16-month-old daughter as well as aggravated assault and battery against an adult relating to this case.

Since moving to Biddeford, Holland has been charged with, among other crimes, terrorizing, assault and criminal mischief. Criminal charges against Holland in Maine go back more than one decade.

— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 324 or dmendros@journaltribune.com.